Image forming apparatus

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus reads a document mounted on a document positioning section by using an image reading section, and forms an image of the document on a sheet by using an image forming section. The sheet subjected to the image formation processing is mounted on a discharge tray via a discharge section. The image forming apparatus includes an operation unit that has a touch panel and that protrudes from a front portion of the image reading section, and a power button that is a hardware button provided on a back side of the operation unit and on a front portion of the image reading section.

The present application is based on, and claims priority from JPApplication Serial Number 2020-125896, filed Jul. 23, 2020, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus.

2. Related Art

Known image forming apparatuses have functions of a copying machine, aprinter, an image scanner, and the like. Such image forming apparatuseshave operation buttons used to operate the functions and an operationunit that includes operation buttons.

For example, an image forming apparatus in JP-A-2011-170070 includes arectangular operation unit disposed on the front of an image readingsection. On the operation unit, in addition to a touch panel display, aplurality of hardware buttons such as a power button, a power-savingbutton, and numeric-keypad buttons are provided.

In such an image forming apparatus in JP-A-2011-170070, however, thevariety of operation buttons including the power button on the singleoperation unit may make it difficult for the user to identify theimportant power button due to the other operation buttons. For example,in the course of operation of the touch panel display, thenumeric-keypad buttons, and other buttons, the user may unintentionallyand erroneously operate the power button. The operation of the powerbutton causes the image forming apparatus to shut down or reboot, whichwastes time and is inconvenient for the user.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image formingapparatus includes an image reading section configured to read adocument mounted on a document positioning section, a document pressingcover configured to be opened or closed, the pressing cover beingdisposed on the image reading section, an image forming sectionconfigured to form an image on a sheet, a discharge section configuredto discharge the sheet on which the image is formed by the image formingsection, a discharge tray configured to receive the sheet from thedischarge section, and an operation unit including at least a touchpanel display, in which a power button that is a hardware button isprovided a back side of the operation unit and on a front portion of theimage reading section

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an image forming apparatus accordingto a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a right side view illustrating an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an operation unit.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of a power button and an operationunit.

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating an image forming apparatus accordingto a second embodiment in which an operation unit is maximally tilted.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view illustrating an identification baraccording to a third embodiment that is a light-emitting diode (LED).

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

Overview of Image Forming Apparatus

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an image forming apparatus. An imageforming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment is a multifunctionperipheral (MFP) that has a printer function, a copy function, a scannerfunction, a facsimile function, and the like. In this embodiment, theimage forming apparatus 1 is coupled to a local area network (LAN). Theimage forming apparatus 1 prints image data that is transmitted from aterminal device such as a personal computer coupled to the LAN. Theimage forming apparatus 1 may have wireless communication functionalitysuch as wireless LAN and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

The image forming apparatus 1 in front view has a substantiallyrectangular shape as illustrated in FIG. 1 . In FIG. 1 , a widthdirection of the image forming apparatus 1 is referred to as an X-axisdirection, a height direction is referred to as a Y-axis direction, anda depth direction is referred to as a Z-axis direction. A tip of anarrow of the X-axis denotes a right side, a base end of the arrow of theX-axis denotes a left side, a tip of an arrow of the Y-axis denotes anupper side, and a base end of the arrow of the Y-axis denotes a lowerside. The same applies to the other drawings. When the user operates theimage forming apparatus 1, the user faces the image forming apparatus 1in FIG. 1 and operates an operation unit 40.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading section 10, animage forming section 20, a discharge section 30, and the operation unit40.

Image Reading Section

The image reading section 10 is a flatbed scanner and includes adocument positioning section 11. The image reading section 10 has afunction of reading a document mounted on the document positioningsection 11. The document positioning section 11 includes, as an uppersurface, a document positioning plate (not illustrated) that includes atransparent resin plate-shaped member. The document positioning platemay be any transparent plate, such as a glass plate. The documentpositioning plate is covered with a document pressing cover 12 in anormal state and is exposed when the document pressing cover 12 isopened such that a document can be set. The document positioning section11 includes a light source and a scanner unit that has a line sensor(not illustrated).

A portion of the document pressing cover 12 close to the user is freelyopenable and closable about an end in the depth direction. In otherwords, the document pressing cover 12 is opened or closed on the imagereading section 10. For an image to be read, in a state in which adocument is mounted on the document positioning plate, the documentpressing cover 12 is closed. An automatic document feeder 13 that canautomatically feed documents that have been set is provided in an upperportion of the document pressing cover 12.

Image Forming Section

A sheet cassette 21 is provided in a lower portion of the image formingapparatus 1, and the image forming section 20 is disposed on the sheetcassette 21 as illustrated in FIG. 1 . The sheet cassette 21 is a sheetstorage section that includes a plurality of cassettes that correspondto paper sizes. A transport section (not illustrated) is disposedbetween the sheet cassette 21 and the image forming section 20, and thetransport section picks up sheets one by one from a selected cassetteand transports the sheets to the image forming section 20. The imageforming section 20 is disposed inside the image forming apparatus 1 andincludes a print unit (not illustrated). In this embodiment, the printunit includes a line-type ink jet head. The print unit is a single-passprint unit and forms an image through one-pass processing on atransported sheet. The image forming section 20 can also form an imagethat is read by the image reading section 10 on a sheet.

Discharge Section

The discharge section 30 is a transport section that discharges a sheetsubjected to the image forming processing in the image forming section20 toward an internal discharge section 32. The discharged sheet ismounted on a discharge tray 31 in the internal discharge section 32.

Internal Discharge Section

The internal discharge section 32 is a space in a housing that isdefined between the image reading section 10 and the image formingsection 20 in an up-down direction. The discharge tray 31 is disposed inthe internal discharge section 32. The internal discharge section 32 issurrounded by the discharge section 30 on the right side, by thedischarge tray 31 on the bottom, and by the document positioning section11 on the top. The internal discharge section 32 is a space that has anopening on a front portion of the image forming apparatus 1. Theinternal discharge section 32 is a space in which a plurality of sheetsdischarged from the discharge section 30 are mounted. Wall surfacemembers of the inside of the internal discharge section 32 denoted bythe dotted portion in FIG. 1 are a dark color. In this embodiment, thewall surface members are black. It should be noted that black is anexample dark color, and the color may be, for example, a 256-levelgrayscale color in a range of 0 to 20. In the description below,similarly, with respect to other components, simply stating black meansa color that has a similar tonal value. In addition, for example, thecolor may be dark blue or dark green. In this embodiment, the color toneof the housing of the image forming apparatus 1 is ivory, and may be alight color such as light gray or light blue.

Operation Unit

The operation unit 40 includes at least a touch panel 41 as illustratedin FIG. 1 . The touch panel 41 will be described below. The operationunit 40 is a rectangular plate-shaped member and has long sides thatextend in the X-axis direction. The dimension of the long side isreferred to as a width W.

FIG. 2 is a right side view illustrating the image forming apparatus. Asillustrated in FIG. 2 , the operation unit 40 protrudes from a frontportion of the image reading section 10. More specifically, an end ofthe touch panel 41 on the protruding side is tilted toward the lowerside of the image forming apparatus 1. This structure increasesvisibility for the user facing the image forming apparatus 1. Theoperation unit 40 is tiltable, and more specifically, as indicated byarrow 80 in FIG. 2 , the angle from the apparatus front toward the rearcan be adjusted about the end of the image reading section 10 serving asa pivot. In this embodiment, the inclination can be adjusted within arange of approximately 100 degrees.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the operation unit. As illustrated inFIG. 3 , the operation unit 40 includes the touch panel 41, alight-emitting diode (LED) 47, and an LED 48. The touch panel 41 is atouch panel display and, in this embodiment, a capacitive touch panel.FIG. 3 illustrates a screen on the touch panel 41 that displays, forexample, a home button 42 and four software buttons. The home button 42is always displayed in the upper left of the screen during operation.Operation of the home button 42 causes an initial screen to bedisplayed. The four software buttons include a printer button 43, a copybutton 44, a scanner button 45, and a facsimile button 46.

For example, touching the copy button 44 causes the display screen toswitch to a full-screen display for copy function settings. The settingscreen may be, for example, a screen for selecting monochrome printingor color printing, a screen for setting the number of copies, or ascreen for setting an enlargement or reduction percentage. When any ofthe other software buttons are operated, similarly, a setting screen forthe corresponding function is displayed.

The LEDs 47 and 48 are disposed at the right of the protruding end ofthe touch panel 41. Each of the LEDs 47 and 48 is an indicator thatindicates an operation status of the image forming apparatus 1 by alighting state. For example, the LED 47 when green denotes a normalstate, and the LED 47 when red denotes an abnormal state. The LED 48when blinking orange denotes a normal transmission state ofcommunication data, and the LED 48 when orange denotes a communicationerror or a sheet jam. It should be noted that two or more LEDs may beprovided.

Returning to FIG. 1 , in the front view of the image forming apparatus1, the internal discharge section 32 is on the left and the operationunit 40 is on the right. At least part of the operation unit 40 overlapspart of the internal discharge section 32. In this embodiment, a littleless than half of the width W in the operation unit 40 overlaps theinternal discharge section 32.

Power Button and Identification Bar

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating the operation unit 40 and theperiphery of the operation unit 40. Here, a power button 50 and aidentification bar 60 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 , FIG.2 , and FIG. 4 .

As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the power button 50 that enablesmains electric power supply to the image forming apparatus 1 is closerthan the operation unit 40 to the rear. The power button 50 is disposedon a front portion of the image reading section 10, and morespecifically, the power button 50 is provided on a front portion of thedocument positioning section 11 as illustrated in FIG. 2 . In addition,the power button 50 is provided on the surface that intersects theoperation unit 40. The power button 50 is a hardware button. Thehardware button is a physical button that can be pushed, and in thisembodiment, an illuminated push-button switch is used. When the switchis pushed and released, the switch is in a pushed position and a pushedstate indication is illuminated. When the switch is pushed and releasedagain, the switch returns to the initial position and the illuminationis switched off. It should be noted that the push button may be anymechanical push button such as a tactile switch.

The power button 50 is disposed separately from the operation unit 40 asa separate component as illustrated in FIG. 4 . The power button 50according to the embodiment is disposed at a left end of the width Wthat is the long side of the operation unit 40 in the X-axis directionin front view; however, the position is not limited to this example andmay be any position within the width W. The power button 50 according tothe embodiment is approximately 15 mm×15 mm. The dimensions and shapeare not limited to this example and may be any dimensions and shape thatenable good visibility.

The identification bar 60 that has a color and extends in the X-axisdirection is disposed adjacent to the power button 50 of the imageforming apparatus 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1 . The identification bar 60according to the embodiment is a strip-shaped section having a length ofapproximately 8 mm and extends toward the right side of the power button50 as illustrated in FIG. 4 . In this embodiment, the width of theidentification bar 60 is approximately half the width W of the operationunit 40 from a side of the power button 50. The width is not limited tothis example and may be any width that enables good identification, suchas a quarter or more of the width W.

The identification bar 60 according to the embodiment is a blueplate-shaped sheet member that differs in color from the apparatus body,that is covered by a thickly applied transparent resin, and on which anemblem is displayed. The identification bar 60 is a wide, refreshingblue bar that shows that an ink jet print unit is mounted. The plate maybe any plate of refreshing blue such as a metal plate subjected to metalplating. In addition, the plate may have a metallic color such asmetallic blue. The identification bar 60 may be disposed to the left ofthe power button 50.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to theembodiment has the following advantages. The image forming apparatus 1includes the image reading section 10 that reads a document mounted onthe document positioning section 11, the document pressing cover 12 thatis disposed on the image reading section 10 and opened or closed, theimage forming section 20 that forms an image read by the image readingsection 10 on a sheet, the discharge section 30 that discharges thesheet on which the image is formed by the image forming section 20, thedischarge tray 31 that receives the sheet from the discharge section 30,and the operation unit 40 that includes at least the touch panel 41. Thepower button 50, which is a hardware button, is provided on the frontportion of the image reading section 10 that is closer than theoperation unit 40 to the rear.

The structure includes the operation unit 40 and the power button 50disposed separately. The structure differs from known structures inwhich the variety of operation buttons including the power button 50 aredisposed in the operation unit 40. Accordingly, erroneous useroperations can be prevented; for example, the user can be prevented fromunintentionally operating the power button 50 in the course ofoperation. In addition, since the power button 50 is disposed separatelyfrom the operation unit 40, the position of the power button 50 isreadily identifiable. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 1 thatenables the user to readily identify the position of the power button 50and that is capable of preventing the user from erroneously operatingthe power button 50 can be provided.

The image forming apparatus 1 has the internal discharge section 32 thatis defined between the image reading section 10 and the image formingsection 20 in the up-down direction, and the discharge tray 31 isdisposed in the internal discharge section 32. The internal dischargesection 32 has the opening on the front portion of the image formingapparatus 1, and at least part of the operation unit 40 overlaps part ofthe internal discharge section 32 in front view. The internal dischargesection 32 is large enough for the user to remove a printed sheet fromthe discharge tray 31. With this structure, the operation unit 40 thatoverlaps part of the internal discharge section 32 causes no functionalproblems, and such overlapping enables the image forming apparatus 1 tobe provided in a compact form.

The power button 50 is disposed within the width W of the operation unit40. With this structure, the operation unit 40 and the power button 50that are disposed in the front-back direction enable the user to readilyidentify the position of the power button 50.

The dark color of the internal discharge section 32 enables the user todistinguish a white sheet and to readily identify a printed product,thereby providing good usability.

The tiltable operation unit 40 enables the user to tilt the operationunit 40 to an angle convenient for operation, thereby providing goodoperability.

The identification bar 60 different in color from the apparatus body anddisposed adjacent to the power button 50 enables the user to readilyidentify the power button 50.

The identification bar 60 that extends toward the right side of thepower button 50 enables the user to identify the power button 50 morereadily. In addition, the identification bar 60 that is a characteristicrefreshing blue is appealing and emphasizes that the ink jet print unitis mounted.

The image forming apparatus 1 includes the internal discharge section 32disposed on the left and the operation unit 40 disposed on the right infront view, which enables the user to readily operate the operation unit40.

The image forming section 20 includes the print unit that includes theink jet head. With this structure, the ink jet image forming apparatus 1that enables the user to readily identify the position of the powerbutton 50 and that is capable of preventing the user from erroneouslyoperating the power button 50 can be provided.

Second Embodiment

Power Button and Identification Bar According to Another Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating an image forming apparatus in whichan operation unit is maximally tilted, and the view corresponds to FIG.1 . An image forming apparatus 2 according to the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 5 includes a power button 55 and a identification bar 65 whosepositions differ from those of the power button 50 and theidentification bar 60 according to the first embodiment. Morespecifically, in a state in which the operation unit 40 is maximallytilted from the apparatus front toward the rear, the power button 55 isshifted to the left so as to not overlap the operation unit 40.

Hereinafter, components similar to those in the first embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and descriptions similar to those inthe first embodiment are omitted.

As described above, the operation unit 40 can be tilted from the fronttoward the rear about an end on the image reading section 10 side. FIG.5 illustrates the operation unit 40 that is maximally tilted from theapparatus front toward the rear. Such a state is applicable when movingthe image forming apparatus 2 to a new installation location. The powerbutton 55 in front view is disposed so as to not overlap the operationunit 40 that is maximally tilted from the front toward the rear. Morespecifically, the power button 55 is disposed to the left of theoperation unit 40 on the front of the image reading section 10. Withthis structure, the image forming apparatus 2 according to theembodiment enables the user to operate the power button 55 when theoperation unit 40 is maximally tilted from the apparatus front towardthe rear.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 , the identification bar 65 extends toward theright side of the power button 55. In front view, part of theidentification bar 65 according to the embodiment protrudes from theleft side of the operation unit 40 with respect to the width W when theoperation unit 40 is maximally tilted. With this structure, theidentification bar 65 enables the user to readily identify the positionof the power button 55 when the operation unit 40 is maximally tilted.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 2 according to theembodiment has the following advantages.

The image forming apparatus 2 includes the power button 55 that isdisposed so as to not overlap the operation unit 40 when the operationunit 40 is maximally tilted from the apparatus front toward the rear.With this structure, for example, when the image forming apparatus 2 ismoved in a state in which the operation unit 40 is maximally tilted,even if the user forgets to turn off the power, the power button 55 canbe operated.

Third Embodiment Identification Bar According to Another Embodiment

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view of a power button and an operation unitaccording to the embodiment, and the view corresponds to FIG. 4 . Aidentification bar 70 according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6differs from the identification bar 60 in the first embodiment; morespecifically, the identification bar 70 is an LED. Hereinafter, the samereference numerals are given to components similar to those in the firstembodiment, and descriptions similar to those in the first embodimentare omitted.

The identification bar 70 is an LED that extends in the X-axis directionon a front portion of the image reading section 10. The identificationbar 70 extends toward the right side of the power button 50, and theextension width and the length are similar to those of theidentification bar 60 according to the first embodiment. Theidentification bar 70 is blue when in an off state and is a brighterblue when in an on state. The identification bar 70 is in an on statewhile the image reading section 10 is operating and is in an off statewhen the power is off. The identification bar 70 may function as anindicator that indicates, by its lighting state, an operation status ofthe image forming apparatus 1. For example, the identification bar 70when green may denote a normal state, and the identification bar 70 whenred may denote an abnormal state. In another example, the identificationbar 70 when blinking orange may denote a normal data communicationtransmission state. The identification bar 70 when orange may denote acommunication error or a sheet jam. In addition, the identification bar70 may include two or more LEDs. In such a case, the LEDs may bedisposed to the right and left of the power button or the LEDs may bedisposed side by side.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to theembodiment has the following advantages. The lighting state of the LEDof the identification bar 70 enables the identification bar 70 toindicate that the ink jet print unit is mounted or to indicate anoperation status.

Fourth Embodiment Image Forming Section According to Another Embodiment

Returning to FIG. 1 , in the above-described embodiments, the imageforming apparatus 1 includes the print unit that includes the ink jethead; however, the structure is not limited to this example. Forexample, the image forming apparatus 1 may include anelectro-photographic print unit. More specifically, the image formingsection in the image forming apparatus 1 may include an exposure unit, adevelopment device, a photosensitive drum, a charger, a transfer roller,a fixing unit, or the like (not illustrated). With this structure,effects similar to those in the above-described embodiments are alsoachievable. In addition, in general, because the startup time ofelectro-photographic image forming apparatuses is longer than that ofink jet image forming apparatuses, if the power is erroneously switchedoff, a considerably long time to reboot the apparatus is required.Accordingly, preventing erroneous operation is effective.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an imagereading section configured to read a document mounted on a documentpositioning section; a document pressing cover configured to be openedor closed, the pressing cover being disposed on the image readingsection; an image forming section configured to form an image on asheet; a discharge section configured to discharge the sheet on whichthe image is formed by the image forming section; a discharge trayconfigured to receive the sheet from the discharge section; an operationunit including at least a touch panel display; a power button that is ahardware button is provided on a front portion of the image formingapparatus; and an identification bar disposed adjacent to the powerbutton and configured to identify a location of the power button andidentify an operational status of the image forming apparatus from aplurality of operational statuses, the identification bar identifyingthree or more operational statuses selected from an off state, an onstate, a normal state, an abnormal state, a normal data communicationtransmission state, a communication error, and a sheet jam state.
 2. Theimage forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power buttonis disposed within a width of the operation unit.
 3. The image formingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein an internal discharge section isdefined between the image reading section and the image forming sectionin an up-down direction, and the discharge tray is disposed in theinternal discharge section, the internal discharge section has anopening on a front portion of the image forming apparatus, and in frontview, at least part of the operation unit overlaps part of the internaldischarge section.
 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the internal discharge section is a dark color.
 5. The imageforming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein in front view, theinternal discharge section is disposed on a left side and the operationunit is disposed on a right side.
 6. The image forming apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein in a state in which the operation unit ismaximally tilted from the apparatus front toward the rear, the powerbutton does not overlap the operation unit.
 7. The image formingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification bar isdifferent in color to an apparatus body.
 8. The image forming apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein the identification bar is a light-emittingdiode (LED).
 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7,wherein the identification bar extends toward a right side of the powerbutton.
 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe image forming section includes a print unit that includes an ink jethead.
 11. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image readingsection configured to read a document mounted on a document positioningsection; a document pressing cover configured to be opened or closed,the pressing cover being disposed on the image reading section; an imageforming section configured to form an image on a sheet; a dischargesection configured to discharge the sheet on which the image is formedby the image forming section; a discharge tray configured to receive thesheet from the discharge section; an operation unit including at least atouch panel display; a power button that is a hardware button isprovided on a front portion of the image forming apparatus; and anidentification bar disposed adjacent to the power button and configuredto identify a location of the power button and identify an operationalstatus of the image forming apparatus from a plurality of operationalstatuses, the identification bar identifying three or more operationalstatuses selected from an off state, an on state, a normal state, anabnormal state, a normal data communication transmission state, acommunication error, and a sheet jam state.
 12. The image formingapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the power button is disposedwithin a width of the operation unit.
 13. The image forming apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein an internal discharge section is definedbetween the image reading section and the image forming section in anup-down direction, and the discharge tray is disposed in the internaldischarge section, the internal discharge section has an opening on afront portion of the image forming apparatus, and in front view, atleast part of the operation unit overlaps part of the internal dischargesection.
 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, whereinthe internal discharge section is a dark color.
 15. The image formingapparatus according to claim 11, wherein in a state in which theoperation unit is maximally tilted from the apparatus front toward therear, the power button does not overlap the operation unit.
 16. Theimage forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein theidentification bar is different in color to an apparatus body.
 17. Theimage forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein theidentification bar is a light-emitting diode (LED).
 18. The imageforming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the identification barextends toward a right side of the power button.
 19. An image formingapparatus comprising: an image reading section configured to read adocument mounted on a document positioning section; a document pressingcover configured to be opened or closed, the pressing cover beingdisposed on the image reading section; an image forming sectionconfigured to form an image on a sheet; a discharge section configuredto discharge the sheet on which the image is formed by the image formingsection; a discharge tray configured to receive the sheet from thedischarge section; and an operation unit including at least a touchpanel display; a power button that is a hardware button is provided on aback side of the operation unit and on a front portion of the imagereading section, the power button extending from a face of the frontportion, the face being angularly orientated in relation to a sheetreceiving portion of the document positioning section; and anidentification bar disposed adjacent to the power button and configuredto identify a location of the power button and identify an operationalstatus of the image forming apparatus from a plurality of operationalstatuses, the identification bar identifying three or more operationalstatuses selected from an off state, an on state, a normal state, anabnormal state, a normal data communication transmission state, acommunication error, and a sheet jam state.